Look Who's Talking - KTW

Kwinana Theatre Workshop's "Look Who's Talking", which opened last night at Koorliny Arts Centre, comes equipped with a marvellous pedigree; an experienced and well-proven director in former Finley-adjudicator Sue Hayward, and a cast that reads a little like a Who's Who of community theatre. And, indeed, it was the talents involved that made this otherwise mild farce a joy to watch, and well worth trying to see. Murray Jackson, taking the audience on a round tour of some of his finer facial expressions, plays the rather clueless Brian, who fancies frantic housewife Sheila (the ever-reliable and consistently fantastic Jacqui Warner), whose husband Andrew (an uproariously high-pitched Alan Morris) has made an accidental drunken promise to go to Italy with his secretary Carole (a sly, cheeseball-gobbling Melissa Merchant). Throw into the mix a dry, unimpressed Sharon Edsall as Sheila's best friend Jane, and you have one chaotic Sunday lunch in Little Buckton. The plot is less than original, but the characters are colourful, lively and ably presented by a cast who are obviously enjoying themselves, yet never exclude the audience from the fun. All players are delightful to watch, and the audience is able to warm to these somewhat daft, painfully flawed people. Sue Hayward directs with a steady, focussed hand and her use of smell is absolutely mouth-watering! I shan't spoil the surprise, but let's just say Act Two is a feast for all the senses. A few opening night fumbles were occasionally apparent, justifiable as the cast adjusts to the presence of an audience who were not shy about laughing, but the performers sped through these minor hiccups with ease and they were barely noticeable. The pace fluctuated early on, but by halfway through the first act things had picked up speed and the show powered through to the very end. Its not a life-altering piece of theatre, nor is it intended to be, but for anyone desiring a guilt-free evening of belly laughs then I highly recommend it! Support KTW and come along. TICKET INFO HERE http://www.theatre.asn.au/production/2009/look_whos_talking